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Fantasy Football: Week 4 Waiver Wire Pickup Power Rankings

RotoExperts Staff September 28, 2015 1:42PM EST

Week 4 Waiver Wire Pickup Power Rankings

FNTSY Sports Network’s Pat Mayo talks with Dr. Victor Khabie and Gregg Sussman about every significant injury from Sunday, and unleashes his Week 4 Waiver Wire Pickup Power Rankings for every position. Plus, the streaming QBs and DSTs of the week.

*Week 4 Waiver Wire Power Rankings | All Players less than 60-percent owned*

Turns out, Brandon Weeden hates throwing to receivers. Apparently, when you just check down to tight ends and running backs, you break the Cowboys all-time consecutive completion record. That will always be a shameful page in the Dallas record book. Weeden connected on 22 passes against Atlanta, and four were to wideouts. Actually, wideOUT. Cole Beasley caught all four. There were only two players Weeden actually wanted to target, Jason Witten and Lance Dunbar. When Dunbar was on the field, they passed to him. He played 20 snaps Sunday (Randle 24; McFadden 10), and hauled in all 10 targets, finishing right on the century mark in receiving yardage. Dunbar still has limited value in standard formats with this type of production and lack of goal line work, but PPR players have to scoop him up. With his constant involvement in the passing game through three weeks, Dunbar has evolved into a perfect high-floor RB2/FLEX for Fantasy players that are currently struggling at RB.

LeSean McCoy has been dealing with his hamstring problem for weeks, and, now, he’s apparently, “running on one-and-a-half legs”. That doesn’t sound good. McCoy reaggravated his hammy in the second quarter against the Dolphins. He returned to the field in the second half, but only played 12 snaps, carrying the ball 4 times, rather ineffectively I may add. There was early chatter he could potentially skip next week’s game against the Giants to try and get back to full health, but it seems like Rex Ryan wants him in uniform regardless. We did just see DeMarco Murray’s hamstring get down played in-week, only to see him as a surprise inactive Sunday morning, so grab Karlos Williams now as a preemptive strike. Even if McCoy plays in Week 4, I would still feel comfortable using Williams as a low-end FLEX. [Update: Turns out, McCoy MAY rest after all. That would place Williams inside the Top 15 at RB and make Anthony Dixon a desperate TD play in deep leagues]

Marshawn Lynch came into Sunday as a game time decision with a calf problem, then left the Bears game with the hamstring injury. Now, I’m not certain how serious it is, with the Seahawks dominating the game, there was really no need to push him. But, again, even though Pete Carrollis downplaying the injury, I’m always on high alert with hamstring issues. Plus, Carroll is a noted liar. Thomas Rawls is the handcuff you want, notFred Jackson. The rookie looked great against a terrible Chicago defense, dominating the backfield touches 16-to-2 over Jackson, and he cracked 100 yards.

Never forget about the Thursday game, many already missed out on Dion Lewis because people apparently Men in Black their memory every 24 hours. Pick up Andre Williams, stash him and see how his role develops. Williams outsnapped Rashad Jennings 23/21 against Washington, and was the Giants back to get his name called near the end zone. He didn’t look great on the whole (2.07 ypc), but with Jennings now playing special teams, it seems like the team wants to groom Williams for the lead back role, whether he’s capable or not.

Three games have seen three different lead ball carriers for the Titans. This week, Antonio Andrews got a team-high 12 carries. I don’t know what to make of this situation. It was Dexter McCluster that actually saw the field more than any other Titans RB. McCluster played 36 snaps to Andrews’ (23) and Bishop Sankey’s (18). Who knows which RB will get the plurality of the touches when Tennessee returns from bye in Week 5? The thing I do know: I don’t want to start any of them against the Bills. Andrews is worth an add in 14+ team leagues if you have the bench room, just to see what happens (can’t hurt, right?), but I’ll pass in most formats.

[UPDATE: Davante Adamsreportedly suffered a high-ankle sprain (generally 4-6 week recovery) in the Monday nighter against the Chiefs. Whether it’s that severe or not, he’ll likely miss some time at the very least. James Jonesgets an instant boost, but a bigger workload for Ty Montgomery (Flea Market) and/or Jeff Janis should be expected in the coming weeks. Probably Montgomery. And in the Packers’ offense, tertiary options have legit Fantasy value.]

You deserve a cameo on World’s Craziest Fools(Yes, that’s a real show with Mr. T) if you weren’t convinced by Rishard Matthews last week. Now, you’re going to pay a premium to acquire his services. Six catches in back-to-back games, and the clear number two option for Ryan Tannehill. What’s not to like?

While many won’t believe in the Oakland offense (I do, for the record), it’s tough arguing with Michael Crabtree’s usage. Three games, no fewer than 8 targets in any. The stats won’t be always be consistent, but like Cecil Shorts III and Nate Washington, it’s all about volume.

Don’t go shelling out the big bucks for Rueben Randle. We’ve seen this act before. He’s ultra inconsistent, and primed to lose looks with Victor Cruz nearing a return.

Roddy White is still on the field, but it’s Leonard Hankerson that’s actually producing relevant numbers. Even if he’s a tertiary option in the Falcons offense, Matt Ryan throws enough to make him rosterable.

People continue to laugh at me for recommending Ted Ginn as a pick up, and they can keep the chuckle fest going for all I care. I have no qualms plugging CAMMMMMMMMMMM’s top target (Well, after Greg Olsen) into my lineup in deeper leagues. Frankly, I feel like we owe him. Not only is Ginn a big-play threat, he once fought off giant asteroids to keep the Earth from dying, tore down the Berlin Wall with Marvel super powers, led the troops in WWII, then saved Private Ryan… among his may accomplishments.

Did you know Kenny Britt has a Top 10 aDOT through three games? Well, he is. I looked it up and everything. He likely won’t see 10 targets every outing, but I’m going to grab him in deeper standard leagues. Cause when he catches one, it’s usually for a large chunk of yardage. Other players constantly seeing all their looks downfield: Louis Murphy, Malcom Floyd and Jermaine Kearse.

I always like stashing an upside, rookie WR for later in the season. I drafted Dorial Green-Beckham everywhere, and I’m not cutting him loose. He’s scored in consecutive weeks, already establishing himself as a red zone presence, but I’m hopeful he can evolve into an every week starter the deeper we get into the season. His size/speed combo is scary; once he harnesses it, DGB is going to be a beast. Just be patient. If he’s gone, I’d want Devante Parker, Devin Funchess, then Breshad Perriman on my bench, in that order.

Week 4 Waiver Wire Pickups: Tight End

Somehow, Jordan Reed’s ownership number still lingers around 60%. That’s insane. Few tight ends are as consistently involved week-to-week (at least six receptions in every game). While the offense isn’t strong, Reed’s volume makes him a borderline Top 5 TE until he inevitably pulls his hamstring in a few weeks.

OK, who do we get to replace GRONKKKKKK? Well, no one is going to replace his numbers, but there are a few big men that can assist for one week. If Brandon Pettigrew continues missing time, expect Eric Ebron to remain a viable option the Lions offense. It’s not that Pettigrew steals his targets, but he takes Ebron off the field. Week 1, with Pettigrew active, Ebron played just 60% of the Lions snaps. Sans Pettigrew Week 2 and 3, Ebron was on the field for over 90%. You gotta be on the field score. At least I think that’s how it works. Seems logical.

You’d think Kyle Rudolph offers the highest floor from the available TEs (non-Reed category), but the Vikings offense scares me, as does a matchup against that stiff Broncos D. Outside of playing catchup most of Week 1 against the 49ers, Minnesota seems very content running the ball. Then running it some more. Then a little more. Teddy Bridgewater has only put the ball in the air 42 times the last two weeks, only completing 27 of them. I’d prefer taking a shot on a pickup that has a chance for more opportunity than Rudolph is going to see. Basically, with his low yardage total, you’re playing TD or bust.

Even though he skipped Week 3 with a concussion, I would still plug Ladarius Greeninto my lineup over Rudolph. He draws a better matchup against the Browns, and plays in an offense that demands to chuck the ball around. The Chargers have averaged 36 pass attempts in three games. Plus, they never ask him to block! Obviously, you need to see if he passes the concussion protocol first, but, if he’s in, I’m comfortable with Green in his final game before Antonio Gates returns to create headaches.

Looking a week ahead for a TE bye week fill-in isn’t generally necessary unless you’re in a super deep league, but streaming TEs against the Raiders is becoming a thing. Week 5 will have Greg Olsen, Rudolph and Jordan Cameron out of action, so you may want to grab Owen Daniels now if you don’t see any better options.

Week 4 Waiver Wire Pickups: Quarterback

If you’re still reeling from the loss of Tony Romo or Drew Brees, the newfound agony of replacing Ben Roethlisberger (for AT LEAST 4 weeks) or just need a fill in for Tom Brady or Marcus Mariota Week 4, get familiar with Tyrod Taylor. TYGAWDDDDDD!!!!! Taylor’s the top stream on the Week 4 waiver wire, but in reality, he’s just a QB that needs to be picked up and kept, especially if you’re missing Big Ben. Next five match ups for Taylor: NYG, TEN, CIN, JAX, MIA. Only the Bengals are an above average unit from that group.

It was those frisky Bengals who banged up Derek Carr Week 1, but since, Carr has consecutive Top 10 QB scoring weeks. Now he gets the pitiful Bears, who have ceded an average of 35 points through three games.

Ryan Mallettonly put the ball up 39 times against the Bucs, in a game Houston was winning from the outset. The Texans continue to lead the league in plays per second, and in a matchup against Atlanta, with an expected positive pass-happy game script, Mallett will continue to be high-floor stream QB through attrition.

I was wrong on Marcus Mariota. He’s a legit Fantasy QB option. If Mariota’s still available, you may be able to get him at a FAAB discount since Tennessee is on its bye week.

Week 4 Waiver Wire Pickups: Streaming Defenses

DEN vs MIN

ARZ vs STL

PHI at WSH

GB at SF

PIT vs BAL

OAK at CHI

MIA vs NYJ (in London)

MIN at DEN

BAL at PIT

It’s not highly likely Arizona or Denver are available to grab off the Week 4 Waiver Wire, but there’s a chance, so I thought I’d include them… Everyone jumped off the Philly bandwagon, justifiably, but they are always a threat to contribute special teams points, and squaring off with Kirk Cousins generally leads to a Fantasy points bonanza… Much like last week, the Steelers defense isn’t great, but persist as a streamable option. Home defenses on the Thursday short week have historically been quality streaming options. So far this year, Denver was the highest scoring unit against the Chiefs and the Giants finished 10th in Week 3… Going deeper, blindly picking on Jimmy Clausen looks to be as smart of an option as streaming against Pick Foles, Colin Kaeperpick and that awful Kirk Cousins. Hello Oakland.

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